Senate Picks Up House-Passed Stimulus Plan, Adds Clean Coal

January 30, 2009

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Earlier this week the House passed a version of President Obama’s $825 bn stimulus plan, which would devote over $68 billion to green technology development. The plan passed despite getting ‘nay’ed by every present Republican.

Now it’s the Senate’s turn to debate and vote on the legislation. Their version of the bill, however, includes a plan to put over $4.6 billion of that budget towards coal-related projects.

Details are continuously changing, but some would go toward the Department of Energy’s Clean Coal Power Initiative, the building of new “near-zero emissions” plants, and the installation of carbon capture systems.

Senator Robert C. Byrd.of West Virginia, the main voice of the coal provisions, noted that clean coal can be part of a larger, diverse green energy plan. Environmental advocates, however, warn that Congress may not follow through with strict restrictions for limiting coal emissions. Many argue that there is no such thing as “clean coal.”

Critics are worried that the green energy plans set forth will lead to supporting pork projects that never truly help the small businesses who are being encouraged to invest in renewable energy.

Others note that in the rush to create and pass the bill, funds can be easily misplaced. The U.S. has also been facing more pressure to pass legislation to move forward with climate goals before scheduled international talks in Copenhagen in December.

Still, should Obama’s legislation pass in some form, green energy companies and others focused on cutting emissions will likely see a significant boost. The stimulus plan still has hurdles to jump, as the House version and the Senate version (should it pass) will have to be combined – and both will have to vote again on the new version.

Obama hopes the plan will eventually save taxpayers over $2 bn annually in federal energy costs.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Make sustainability part of your strategy.

Get equipped at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader